Author Archives: rightoffthebatbook

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About rightoffthebatbook

Co-author of the book, "Right Off the Bat: Baseball, Cricket, Literature, and Life"

A Half-century Later: Sandy Koufax versus the Chicago Cubs

I (guest-blogger Bill Van Ornum) just finished reading Jane Leavy’s bio of Sandy Koufax. He had initially told her that he didn’t like the idea of the book, and wouldn’t be interviewed; but all along the way, he helped by … Continue reading

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When a Million Eyes Are Smiling

It was announced the other day that the games that constitute the 2012 Indian Premier League (IPL), a competition lasting six weeks and using the shortest form of the game of cricket, Twenty20, have been watched by more than a … Continue reading

Posted in Cricket, India, IPL, T20 Cricket | Tagged | 1 Comment

Weird Game

The Baltimore Orioles bested the Boston Red Sox today in Fenway Park. How weird was this game? It took more than six hours to complete. Orioles designated hitter Chris Davis went 0 for 8. Then, he was summoned to pitch! … Continue reading

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Mariano

In 1996, the New York Yankees were the first team, and possibly the only team in major-league history, to have two roster players named Mariano: Duncan and Rivera. The latter, the famous one, injured himself during outfield practice at one … Continue reading

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Farewell, Moose Skowron

The baseball firmament lost one of its all-time World Series stars. Bill “Moose” Skowron, a fixture at Yankees Oldtimers’ Day for decades following his career, died of congestive heart failure and cancer. Although he made the final out in the … Continue reading

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He Jests at Scars that Never Felt a Wound

New York Mets prospect Philip Gregory Humber (not Humbert Humbert or “from Humber,” either), who had a cup of coffee with his drafting-team in 2006 and 2007 before going to the Minnesota Twins in the Johan Santana deal, has pitched … Continue reading

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A Country for Old Men

Among its benefits to the world of cricket (bringing in the dough, providing a three-hour runfest for millions), the Indian Premier League is turning into a great venue for the superannuated cricketers of yore looking to earn the big bucks … Continue reading

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Chris Gayle versus Shivnarine Chanderpaul

Chris Gayle, the tall Jamaican left-hander known for his power hitting, is currently the star of the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the 2012 Indian Premier League. Meanwhile, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, the Guyanese left-hander known for his crabbed stance at the wicket … Continue reading

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Thank you, Jackie Robinson

Major League Baseball reached a long-overdue milestone sixty-five years ago today when Jackie Robinson took the field for the Brooklyn Dodgers. All major-league players wear JR’s number 42 this day to honor the individual who changed everything. I (Evander) can’t … Continue reading

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Vin Scully Returns

Broadcasting great Vin Scully is scheduled to cover his first game of the Los Angeles Dodgers season today, Tax Day, April 15. Scully missed Opening Day with the team for only the second time in sixty-three years. At eighty-four, Scully’s … Continue reading

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